Hello Richard. I finished The Masked Witches a while ago and wanted to say that I really enjoyed it and that I look forward to the other two. I wish they were coming out on a schedule like the last trilogy. I do have one question if you can answer it. Are we going to see anyone from your previous trilogies (Year of Rogue Dragons and Haunted Lands) or stand alones that wasn't mentioned in Masked Witches? If the answer is yes any hints would be great, though I imagine you aren't allowed to talk about specifics. Similar to how we saw Brimstone in the last trilogy is what I mean.

I also read your Box Office Poison article and I have some thoughts on those two movies if you don't mind. I think John Carter failed because of marketing and people reading the premise and scratching their heads. The marketing shows a man leaping around all over the place for no apparent reason and the premise (Civil War veteran winds up on Mars) without explanation can sound ridiculous to some people. I liked the movie personally, and I think most people would if they saw it but they never got past the marketing.

For Conan, (IMHO) the major drawback was that it wasn't Arnold. Most of the people I talk to about it (and these are reasonably geeky people) do not know that Conan is based on Howard's stories from several decades ago. I didn't know until a few years ago. All I knew of Conan was from the Arnold movie, inaccurate though it may be. Beyond that, I believe the Arnold movie was the better overall movie. The script, music, and even acting (maybe not on Arnold's part) were better. King Osric, a bit part to move the plot along, is played by Max Von Sydow. IMO, nothing in the newer movie compares to that, though in fairness there are worse complaints than an actor not being up to the level of Max Von Sydow and James Earl Jones.

Script wise I don't think the two are in the same league. The original has memorable moments such as the discussion of religion and gods and Conan's prayer to Crom and powerful moments such as when Conan kills Rexor by shattering his father's sword. I found Conan's origin a lot more believable in the original. The whole literally born in battle thing didn't do it for me, nor did the child killing machine.

For me personally, 80s movies have a magic all their own. Conan's world in Arnold's movie looks lived in and real. It looks desolate between the few cities. It feels dangerous. Conan has to hide from dogs before he is able to arm himself (and then turns their hides into clothes to protect from the elements) and strangers along the road can be a lot more than they appear to be.

Maybe my comparisons to Arnold's movie are unfair, but I believe that played a big part. I know that I also feel a little cheated and I am probably holding that against the new movie. I want the movie we were given a glimpse of in the credits. I want to see (a now age appropriate) Arnold wearing the crown upon a troubled brow.

To put my thoughts of the two versions another way, I payed to watch the Arnold movie in a theater last year at GenCon (though I wish they could've somehow got the DVD cut with the deleted scenes). The next time I watch the other one will be when it is on TV and I am really bored. It isn't that I thought the new one was bad. It's that it felt generic and the whole time I knew there was what I considered to be a better version at my house on DVD and for me it never got over that hump.

Peace is a lie, there is only passion. Through passion, I gain strength. Through strength, I gain power. Through power, I gain victory. Through victory, my chains are broken. The Force shall free me. -The Sith Code

Teenage Sith zombies, Tulkh thought-how in the moons of Bogden had it all started? Every so often, the universe must just get bored and decide to really cut loose. -Star Wars: Red Harvest

Hi, Tyrant. Glad you enjoyed the book. I don't foresee anyone else from older stories turning up in this new one. But please stay tuned. I haven't forgotten any of my characters, and any of them who could plausibly have survived the 100-year time jump is likely to show up in some book eventually.

Interesting thoughts on the Conan films. To me, a devout Howard fan, Schwarzenegger wasn't especially good as Conan, but I realize he's a charismatic screen presence and made a powerful impression on many movie goers.

And now, FYI from Marshella Rockwell:

Hey, Forgotten Realms folks, help me out here. WotC has the following product description for Skein of Shadows:

"Continuing the story that began in The Shard Axe, Sabira finds herself drawn into an expedition into the Underdark, where she discovers drow intrigue and dire secrets."

Except Sabira goes into Khyber, NOT the Underdark. Analogous, maybe, but not the same. And since the book is starting to appear on Forgotten Realms fan sites, I'd appreciate it if you'd let folks know it is NOT a Forgotten Realms book, because I don't really want to get murdalized by folks who buy it thinking it is and then are disappointed when Sabira doesn't go traipsing through Menzoberranzan or something. Thank you!

quote:Originally posted by Richard Lee ByersInteresting thoughts on the Conan films. To me, a devout Howard fan, Schwarzenegger wasn't especially good as Conan, but I realize he's a charismatic screen presence and made a powerful impression on many movie goers.

I did read a few of Howards stories once I found out about Conan's origins. I can see where Arnold seems wrong both in personality and body appearance. To me, while Mamoa had more lines he wasn't a tremendous improvement. I think the new one tried to be different, but at some point they realized they had to aknowledge the other movies and that is where the origin (well, the non-EXTREME parts that apparently have to be in every movie now) came from since it is fairly similar to Arnold's movie.

Anyway, I just wanted to share the perspective of someone who preferred the original.

Peace is a lie, there is only passion. Through passion, I gain strength. Through strength, I gain power. Through power, I gain victory. Through victory, my chains are broken. The Force shall free me. -The Sith Code

Teenage Sith zombies, Tulkh thought-how in the moons of Bogden had it all started? Every so often, the universe must just get bored and decide to really cut loose. -Star Wars: Red Harvest

Your column pretty much cuts to the heart of Dark Shadows but as someone who didn't even exist in the 70's I cant comment on whether the movie Dark Shadows is better then the TV series but neither was it as bad as reviews and IMDB lead me to believe. Johnny Deep's acting was as good as ever though perhaps Helena Bonham Carters character should have had a larger part.Eva Green was not the ideal choice as the villain, I feel someone like Charlize Theron would have been better.Overall it was an entertaining movie and I for one cannot understand the vitriol people have unleashed upon it.

It was the same with me , but my brother watched and he quite enjoyed it so I decided to give it a try. Plus Indian reviewers not being that familiar with the original series gave it a better review. However i wouldn't say it was a great movie, I mean its not exactly Tim Burton's best work but it is entertaining.

BEST EPISODE/TELEVISION1. Slash Fiction, Supernatural2. The Ghost of Harrenhal, Game of Thrones3. Piggy, Piggy, American Horror Story4. A Good Man Goes to War, Doctor Who5. Beside the Dying Fire, The Walking Dead8. Open House, American Horror Story

BEST SPECIAL GUEST/TELEVISION1. Misha Collns, “Survival of the Fittest,” Supernatural2. Jim Beaver, “Survival of the Fittest,” Supernatural3. Mark Shepperd, “Survival of the Fittest,” Supernatural4. James Patrick Stuart, “Survival of the Fittest,” Supernatural5. Zachary Quinto, “Open House,” American Horror Story6. Alex Kingston, “A Good Man Goes to War,” Doctor Who

BEST SERIES/TELEVISION1. Game of Thrones2. Supernatural3. American Horror Story4. The Walking Dead5. Doctor Who6. Falling Skies7. The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes8. Young Justice

BEST YOUNG ACTOR1. Taissa Farmiga, American Horror Story2. Maisie Williams, Game of Thrones3. Sophie Turner, Game of Thrones4. Jack Gleeson, Game of Thrones5. Dave DeHaan, Chronicle6. Isaac Hempstead Wright, Game of Thrones

BEST MOVIE1. The Avengers2. The Cabin in the Woods3. Chronicle4. Captain America: The First Avenger5. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 26. X-Men: First Class7. John Carter8. The Woman in Black9. The Darkest Hour

BEST ACTOR/MOVIE1. Robert Downey, Jr., The Avengers2. Mark Ruffalo, The Avengers3. Tom Hiddleston, The Avengers4. Daniel Radcliffe, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 25. Dane DeHaan, Chronicle6. Bradley Whitford, The Cabin in the Woods7. Chris Evans, Captain America: The First Avenger8. Chris Hemsworth, The Avengers9. James McAvoy, X-Men: First Class10. Michael Fassbender: X-Men: First Class

"Thus, if DC is ever going to have a LGBT character with the star power of Green Lantern, Batman or Superman, they won’t accomplish this by tinkering with an existing character. They’ll have to create a new one, and then the new hero will have to take off in a big way."

Alan Scott was the original Golden Age Green Lantern, though he wasn't, and still largely isn't, actually a Green Lantern in the same respect as Hal Jordan, John Stewart, Guy Gardner, or Kyle Rayner. The original Green Lantern's powers and abilities were, and still remain, somewhat different.